MIAMI (July 22, 2021) – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) and Les Roches Global Hospitality Education are launching a new professional development program for Caribbean hospitality professionals. The program builds on the two organizations’ existing partnership, which began in 2019, and is designed to accelerate the trajectory of participants’ hospitality careers.
The initiative targets today’s hospitality supervisors and managers and aims to propel them to hotel manager or general manager positions over the next two to three years. The rigorous yet flexible academic program is designed to be pursued alongside students’ current job commitments, allowing them to accelerate their careers without interrupting them.
CHTAEF and Les Roches are committed to helping Caribbean nationals reach the highest levels of the industry and become the future faces of the Caribbean hospitality sector. CHTAEF trustee Omar Robinson, who attended a similar program, said: “These programs bring together hoteliers from around the world and expose them to hotel administration at the highest level. The knowledge broadens their expertise in hospitality and prepares them to tackle the role of general manager.”
Carlos Diez de la Lastra Buigues, managing director, Les Roches Marbella, added that Les Roches was honored to confirm the educational partnership with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation and develop, for the first time in the Caribbean, its recognized institutional collaboration.
“Our executive postgraduate program has been tailored to support leadership and professional development for supervisors and managers specialized in tourist services and luxury hotels in the Caribbean. As a top world-ranked hospitality school, Les Roches is committed to preparing the future leaders of Caribbean hospitality. This partnership will allow us to raise the standards of hotel excellence in destinations with the greatest potential worldwide and we are delighted to be part of this initiative,” he said.
CHTAEF chair Karolin Troubetzkoy believes the initiative fits perfectly with the foundation’s mission of supporting Caribbean hospitality workers through their careers, and provides an excellent opportunity to “level up” skills and expertise: “We’re so grateful for this partnership with Les Roches, and truly excited about what this new program means for the Caribbean hospitality professionals of today and the future.”
The program comprises nine subjects in five study units, each lasting approximately one month, and requires a weekly commitment of 10-12 hours to complete. Subjects include A Practical Approach to Protocol & Etiquette; Innovative, Alternative and Sustainable Trends In Tourism; Advanced Hospitality Operations; Leadership and Organizational Behavior; Advanced Finance and Budgeting; Marketing Strategies for Hotel Management; Entrepreneurship and Business Modelling; Revenue Management; and Data Analytics (digital) for Decision Making.
Caribbean candidates must have a minimum of four years’ hospitality experience, including one year in a supervisory position, and have the endorsement of their hotel to participate in the program.
The deadline for applications is August 15, 2021, and the program will begin on September 19, 2021. Financial assistance in the form of scholarships is available.
Interested candidates can get more information and apply at:http://www.chtaef.com/caribbean-hospitality-professional-development-program/ or https://learn.lesroches.edu/caribbean-executive-scholarship.html.
About CHTA Education Foundation
CHTAEF was established in 1986 as an independent nonprofit offering tax-exempt status for donations. As part of its mission, CHTAEF provides people throughout the Caribbean region with an awareness of the varied career opportunities in the industry, as well as technical and professional development through scholarships, special assistance initiatives and other training programs. The Education Foundation has awarded more than US$2 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry.
CHTAEF volunteer trustees administer one of the largest scholarship programs available in the Caribbean hospitality and tourism industry. Funds for these scholarships and grants are generated from corporate sponsorships, benefit auctions and special events.
For more information, visit chtaef.com or email foundation@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.
Les Roches Global Hospitality Education
Les Roches is a Swiss institution focused on creating the innovative and entrepreneurial minds of tomorrow. Founded in 1954, Les Roches offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management following the Swiss model of education. With three campuses across Switzerland, Spain, and China; a student body of more than 100 different nationalities, the institution provides students with a unique culturally diverse experience. Les Roches ranks world’s top three for higher education institutions in Hospitality Management, and top two for Employer Reputation (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020). Part of Sommet Education, Les Roches is also accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). For more information, visit
Les Roches.
